Marmoush Fights for Starting Spot as Man City Face Arsenal—Latest Injury Updates and Predicted XI Revealed
Manchester City has the opportunity to secure their first silverware in almost two years as they face Premier League table-toppers Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
Following their painful Champions League elimination by Real Madrid and with Premier League title hopes diminishing, Sunday's showcase match has gained additional importance for Pep Guardiola's squad. A loss to Arsenal would deliver another crushing setback to their confidence.
A win, though, could spark momentum for the season's remaining two months, and would also bring City within one trophy of current Carabao Cup record holders Liverpool. While Arsenal may hold the advantage in current form, the Citizens possess the experience for such high-stakes encounters.
Man City Almost at Full-Strength
Among the few bright spots from recent weeks for City is the clearing of their injury list. Guardiola has welcomed back Rico Lewis, Max Alleyne and long-term casualty Mateo Kovačić to the squad, leaving Joško Gvardiol as the sole absentee before Sunday's pivotal encounter.
Guardiola has announced that backup keeper James Trafford will get the nod at Wembley having appeared in all of City's domestic cup matches this campaign, with Gianluigi Donnarumma relegated to substitute duties.
Antoine Semenyo, Nico O'Reilly and Marc Guéhi are among those expected to return to the starting eleven after being rested on Tuesday, with Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Abdukodir Khusanov likely to drop out.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
GK: James Trafford—There's no uncertainty about Trafford's starting position following Guardiola's pre-match comments, with the English keeper earning his chance at major silverware.
RB: Matheus Nunes—Nunes undoubtedly offers City valuable offensive impetus from the right-back position, though Arsenal may seek to capitalize on the gaps left by the Portuguese player's attacking runs.
CB: Rúben Dias—The center-back's performance levels have declined over the last year and he no longer commands the same dominance in Guardiola's defense. Nevertheless, instinct could serve him well at Wembley, a ground where Dias has celebrated numerous victories.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Guéhi has fond memories of his recent Wembley appearances. Having defeated City in the FA Cup final and then Liverpool in the Community Shield while with Crystal Palace, Arsenal might be his next conquest.
LB: Rayan Aït-Nouri—The Algerian defender must deliver a flawless performance to contain Bukayo Saka, despite the English winger's recent struggles to match his typical brilliant displays.
DM: Rodri—Rodri netted what proved to be the decisive goal in the 2020 Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa and also delivered the vital strike in the 2023 Champions League final. Arsenal should take note.
DM: Nico O'Reilly—O'Reilly looks more comfortable in his midfield role and could be recalled to help win the intense central battle against players like Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi.
RW: Antoine Semenyo—Semenyo has yet to claim silverware in his professional journey and will be eager to hoist his first trophy when the final whistle sounds on Sunday.
AM: Bernardo Silva—Silva remains one of the few holdovers from the City side that defeated Arsenal 3–0 in the 2018 Carabao Cup final—the first of the Portuguese playmaker's 17 honors since joining the Etihad Stadium.
LW: Jérémy Doku—Doku has found the net in a Wembley final before, though it was only a consolation strike in the 2024 FA Cup final loss to Manchester United. The Belgian winger will be hoping for a more positive result this time.
ST: Erling Haaland—Haaland famously has difficulty in finals, having failed to find the net in any of the eight he's contested with City (including the Community Shield). The Norwegian striker urgently needs to end his barren run against the Gunners.